Mornflake Oats feed front Line

Oldest company helps feed the frontline with British oats

A food producer that helped feed the nation in the Second World War is
supporting the fight against coronavirus by supplying its breakfast range to
frontline staff, community organisations and those most at risk.

'Rescue pallets' of porridge and other oat-based products milled by
Mornflake are being shipped to NHS frontline, food banks and vulnerable
people across the region.

The family milling firm is also supporting the national DEFRA care parcel
scheme, with a pack of Mornflake Oats being included in over half a million
parcels sent to households this month.

The pioneering firm, one of the oldest in the country, has found itself once
again at the forefront of efforts to support the country in its hour of
need.

While stepping up supplies to supermarkets across the UK, it is leading a
drive to ensure our brave frontline have a nutritious start to the day and
hard-pressed food banks are topped up with oat cereals as a pantry staple.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals Trust, North West Ambulance Service, Tarporley War
Memorial Hospital and food banks in Crewe and Nantwich were among those to
receive cases of oats, muesli and granola this week.

Managing director, John Lea, said: "Mornflake is doing its bit to help our
incredible Front-Line and the vulnerable during a challenging time. We have
seen other companies, such as Dyson, switch to manufacturing much-needed
hospital equipment and the one thing we can do is supply a good nutritious
breakfast to those in need.

"Our staff here have been doing a fantastic job working around the clock in
these challenging circumstances. In our deliveries to NHS staff we have been
overwhelmed by their good cheer in the face of adversity epitomising the
'quiet good-humoured resolve' Her Majesty the Queen spoke of in her
address."

The story of Mornflake spans five centuries and 15 generations of the Lea
family starting with William Lea who began milling oats at Swettenham Mill,
South Cheshire in 1675 -- nine years after the Great Fire of London. It is
the oldest business in Crewe, milling oats before steam locomotion and
railways.

In Britain's hours of need and peril during the Second World War Phillip Lea
set about feeding the nation from a disused flour mill in Crewe. The
Ministry of Food decided that Mr Lea would best serve Britain's war effort
by producing milled oats on mass and had to forego his RAF career.

As an excellent source of energy oats became the number one daily dietary
staple during what would become known as the ration years. A new factory was
built on Gresty Road, Crewe to cope with the demand of feeding a nation at
war.

Whilst Rolls Royce was engineering Merlin engines for Spitfires, Phillip Lea
was feeding pilots, sailors and soldiers and millions of families at home.
Milling for victory.

Now as food production staff, Mornflake millers are designated key personnel
by UK government during the health crisis as are its drivers at the wheel of
trademark orange lorries making deliveries the length and breadth of the
country.

Meanwhile the company is working with health and fitness experts to
highlight how oats can be used in all meal occasions presenting versatility,
value for money and all round goodness. Recipe videos are set to go live
soon.

More than 300 years of milling experience going into producing Mornflake
Mighty Oats which are excellent source of dietary fibre. Per gram, oats
contain more protein, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese,
thiamin, folacin and vitamin E than many other wholegrains, such as wheat,
barley, corn and rice.

For more on how oats can support good health and the immune system go to
www.mornflake.com